Gates + Associates

Seeing people enjoying new projects we’ve designed is so rewarding! The City of Livermore, CA - Government's Livermorium Plaza is drawing folks in with a “memorable and comfortable design that complements downtown” says designer Kimmy Chen to the . Kudos to partners and sponsors Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Robert A. Batham Construction BKF Engineers Interface Engineering SGH Engineering BSK Associates

Livermorium Plaza, Downtown’s New ‘Living Room’, Helping Restore Pedestrian-Friendly Town Center Melonie Reynolds, Livermore/ Kimmy Chen, Landscape Architect

Today we are excited to spotlight Rebecca Flanegan, who joined the Gates team in June as our new Outreach Coordinator. She brings extensive experience in managing both intimate and large-scale events for government entities, non-profit organizations, and businesses. Rebecca was drawn to Gates for its group of down-to-earth, creative-minded professionals who appreciate nature and are driven to make better outdoor spaces for the communities they serve.

Fun fact: Rebecca is a musician who has been composing and performing her own songs for 20 years. She describes music as her happy place and the root of who she is.

A big thank you to our summer interns! This summer, we were joined by talented college interns, including Catherine Sachs (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona), Gracie Mitchell (California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo), and Crystal Xie (University of California, Davis). We had the pleasure of seeing each intern proactively step up to help wherever needed, from engaging with the community at a pop-up outreach event to practicing their skills in AutoCAD.

Fun fact: Catherine first interned with us when she was in high school, and this was Gracie’s second summer with Gates.

We so appreciate all your hard work - good luck in your studies!

Congratulations to Dana Falk for recently earning her American Institute Certified Planners Certification (AICP). AICP demonstrates an understanding of the planning field and shows that you and your staff can handle the vast array of areas the industry encompasses.

Dana is an Associate here at Gates + Associates with experience in urban planning, urban design, construction, and architecture. Her interest lies in the transformation of our built environment for better quality of life through the implementation of planning and design. Building upon her Master of Urban and Regional Planning and Master of Urban Design from the University of Colorado, Denver, she has experience working for regional and local government agencies on planning and design efforts, and on design-build projects with a construction firm. Her public sector projects include park and recreation master plans, park master plans, and specific area plans.

American Planning Association

Home-sellers, brokers, take note: Why do homes with trees out front sell faster -- even three times faster – per MONEY? “Well-placed trees and landscaping frame the architecture and allow people to see themselves using the outdoor spaces,” says Casey Case, Gates + Associates. “Large shade trees, in particular, have an “oomph,” and help during softening real estate markets as well as hot ones.

Check out the full article below!

Want to Boost the Value of Your Home? Plant a Tree — Right Now Research shows that well-maintained trees increase the value of a home significantly. Here's why — and what trees offer the best bang for your buck.

Another great event opening a Gates-designed public park! in downtown Livermore celebrates the city's history and global significance -- a nuclear element Livermorium was named for the city, thanks to work done at Lawrence Livermore National Labs. The 11,000 lb. solid granite rotating water sphere, shaped like an atom, will be a popular public art element and commemoration for years to come!

Great seeing our partners and friends Interface Engineering, BKF Engineers, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, Robert A. Bothman, Inc., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and City of Livermore, CA - Government. Thanks also to Pleasanton Weekly for writing the incredible article below.

Grand opening of Livermorium Plaza brings art and science to downtown The city of Livermore has completed another component of its ongoing downtown revitalization plan with the official opening of Livermorium Plaza last week, nearly one year after work began on the project.

Here’s how a community gets involved in designing one of their local parks! Gates is currently developing a master plan update for Town of Windsor, CA’s Keiser Park and we recently popped up at 3 different community events, which elicited hundreds of votes for various options for future park amenities.

Thanks to the Windsor community for with us and sharing your voice!

Gates is in the news! Our own Casey Case wrote an article for the -planning-association titled “NorCal News: ‘Walkability: The City of Fairfield, CA - Government’s response to post-Covid urban planning,” which explains how small-scale improvements and amenities make a big difference in mid-to-small cities who don’t have metropolis-sized budgets. It also includes interesting research from SPUR and Public Health Ontario. Click the link below to read the full article!

Walkability: Fairfield’s response to post-Covid urban planning – Northern California Section of the American Planning Association Northern News A publication of the American Planning Association, California Chapter, Northern Section Making great communities happen June 2022 Walkability: Fairfield’s response to post-Covid urban planning By Casey Case Much has changed about day-to-day life as a result of the pandemic, and whil...

Gates + Associates is hiring a Planner!
Visit https://dgates.com/careers/ for more information on how to join our team!

We are seeking a pro-active and creative Landscape Architect with 4 to 8+ years’ experience. Candidates must have experience in project management and be comfortable working in a team format. Good design and graphic sense (hand and computer), AutoCAD knowledge and computer proficiency are essential. Individuals will have a chance to participate in project management, design brainstorming, client contact, report preparation, public presentation, and construction document production.

We offer a competitive salary, flexible office hours, a relaxed work environment and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, 401-k with employer match and bonus program.

A Bachelor degree in Landscape Architecture or MLA from an accredited institution is preferred.

Gates & Associates is an equal opportunity employer.

Send letter of interest, resume, and work samples by mail, or e-mail to:

Casey Case // President, RLA
Email: [email protected]

The pandemic taught us a lot about and more, says Gates + Associates in Multi-Housing News. We share a few keys to success from our work in City of Fairfield, CA - Government, City of Belmont CA and City of Palo Alto - Public Agency which include pedestrian-oriented streetscapes and re-thinking park master plans as a whole. Click the link below to read the whole article.

3 Ways to Re-Think Urban Planning Post-COVID Casey Case of Gates & Associates on how cities can improve walkability and open-air amenities.

Effective irrigation design is one way landscape architects can help conserve water! Moraga Commons will install a new irrigation system with modern controls to increase efficiency, conserve water, and decrease maintenance costs. Great to work with the Town of Moraga. Read the article below for more information!

water! Moraga Commons will install a new irrigation system with modern controls to increase efficiency, conserve water, and decrease maintenance costs. Great to work with the Town of Moraga. Read the article below for more information!

Moraga Commons Park to receive updated irrigation system | Moraga Lamorinda Weekly is a weekly community newspaper for Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda in California USA. 26,600 printed copies delivered to 23,000 houses or 65,000 people.